Mohawk makes STEAM learning exciting for area students

Most people’s career ambitions are ignited long before they pursue higher education or enter the workforce.

That’s why Mohawk Industries is committed to engaging local students at all levels.

This summer, employees from the company’s Learning Resource Network volunteered their time and expertise to provide fun, educational opportunities that explored science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics, often referred to as STEAM subjects.

The team led activities at DEM Camp hosted by Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy in Dalton and the STEMulate program in Catoosa County. Mohawk also continued its ongoing sponsorship of the STEAM Camp at Gordon County College and Career Academy (GCCCA).

“We made hydraulic lifts out of popsicle sticks, we made rockets and we even made a video about STEAM camp and how much we liked it,” Jared Temple, a nine-year-old GCCCA camp attendee, said. “We learned a lot about mathematics, but it was fun, not really like school.”

Each of the hands-on programs Mohawk helped deliver were designed to inspire and engage students outside the typical classroom setting.

“I want to be an architect when I grow up, and STEAM camp made me want to be one even more,” Temple said.

Mohawk has a strategic partnership with GCCCA to help improve technical training opportunities for local high school students and develop qualified potential employees through an innovative pre-apprenticeship program. The company provides the school with an engineering instructor, equipment and material for its industrial and electrical labs, volunteers, and leadership on the GCCCA board of directors. Now in its third year, STEAM camp is an extension of that partnership with the goal of engaging younger students in projects that challenge and excite them.

“We wanted kids to be exposed to how science, math and other fields are really applicable in everyday life,” Academy Coordinator Steffan Larson said. “It gives them a chance to see how it all works and hopefully builds interest in topics and subjects that they may not get a chance to learn about in the everyday classroom.”

Mohawk Training Specialist Samantha Poklemba said the goal with summer programming for local students is to provide fun experiences while also creating meaningful learning opportunities.

“It’s really exciting to watch them work through the process of problem solving, build something all by themselves and then get to test it out,” she said. “We love seeing their creativity and all of the different technical skills they apply along the way, sometimes without even realizing it.”

Mohawk’s summer programs are one component of the company’s training and development initiatives designed to nurture talent to meet the demands of a leading edge organization in a highly competitive industry.

“We are proud to work alongside our education partners to develop these fun learning opportunities that often spark interest in careers within our industry,” Director of Technical Training Linda McEntire said. “We are creating high wage, high skill jobs at Mohawk, and we want to be a part of preparing our community’s young people for a bright and fulfilling future.”

Community involvement, world-class safety standards, award-winning training, customizable benefits packages and a vibrant wellness program are all part of Mohawk’s holistic value proposition for employees, which recently led to Forbes rating Mohawk as the top flooring manufacturer on the magazine’s annual list of America’s Best Large Employers. To learn more about the company’s employment opportunities, visit mohawkcareers.com.

About Mohawk Industries

Mohawk Industries is a leading global flooring manufacturer, creating products that enhance residential and commercial spaces around the world. Mohawk’s vertically integrated manufacturing and distribution processes provide competitive advantages in the production of carpet, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate, hardwood, stone and vinyl flooring. Our industry-leading innovation has yielded products and technologies that differentiate our brands in the marketplace and satisfy all remodeling and new construction requirements. Our brands are among the most recognized in the industry and include Mohawk, American Olean, Daltile, Durkan, IVC, Karastan, Marazzi, Pergo, Quick-Step and Unilin. During the past decade, Mohawk has transformed its business from an American carpet manufacturer into the world’s largest flooring company with operations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, India, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia and the United States.